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Virgil van Dik has dropped a telling hint on what kind of team Arne Slot will field in the Champions League this week.
Liverpool head to the Philips Stadion on Wednesday night aiming to make history by becoming the first team to win all eight matches in the Champions League’s new league phase format.
The Reds are set be without several players for the trip to the Netherlands including Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, and Joe Gomez – although we will hear more about Jones in Arne Slot’s pre-match press conference.
While Liverpool travel to Eindhoven with no pressure, PSV need at least a point to guarantee their place in the Champions League playoff round.
This adds extra motivation for the Dutch side as they look to secure their European future.
Since the Reds have already qualified, there has been plenty of calls for Arne Slot to rotate on Wednesday evening and give his key players a rest.
And it seems Van Dijk is thinking the same.
What did Virgil van Dijk say?
Speaking at Anfield over the weekend, the Liverpool skipper stressed that keeping everyone fresh this season is a priority and admitted that changes are likely to occur midweek:
“To keep everyone fresh, very important,” Virgil van Dijk said after the win over Ipswich Town.
“Even now, knowing we play PSV on Wednesday, there will probably be some rotation.”
“Other players can have the opportunity to play in the Champions League.
These moments where players can come in and have their opportunity, that is important.
The manager is using these opportunities as well.”
Federico Chiesa seems primed for a first Champions League start in Liverpool colors and only his second start since his September transfer.
Wataru Endo may be called in defence if Slot wants to rest both Konate and Van Dijk.
The Japanese international has already shown his versatility this season, filling in at center-back against Southampton in the League Cup.
The 20-year-old has contributed three assists in European competition this season and his creativity could be crucial in breaking down what will likely be a low-block PSV defense.
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